Device and method for modifying the layout of a vehicle racetrack

ABSTRACT

A device for modifying the layout of a vehicle racing course in a wide track section thereof including an arrangement consisting of individual elements for defining the edge of the track located in the region of the track section, which can be displaced. either individually or in groups, from an initial configuration of the track section into a new configuration for reshaping a bend in the racing course or/and for dividing the racing course.

The invention relates to a device and a method for modifying the layoutof a vehicle racing course in a wide track section thereof.

Vehicle races, especially Formula-1 races, take place on traditionalracing courses the construction of which is based on individual designsand which make high demands on the skills of the drivers and the qualityof the vehicle. Lately, it has been noticed that races of formulavehicles, racing cars, touring cars, trucks, motorcycles, karts etc.become less and less exciting due to the technical development. Aprincipal reason for this is that the overtaking manoeuvres, whichactually are the thrilling thing about races, have become nearlyimpossible. This is, inter alia, due to the fact that the development inthe aerodynamic field requires a larger distance from vehicle tovehicle, because a tailgating vehicle loses road adherence due toturbulences on the vehicle driving in front of it. In addition, anoptimization of the tire grip is required for the full outputdevelopment of the racing cars, for which purpose special tires are usedwhich have an optimum grip only in a narrow region of width of theracing course.

In order to increase the thrill of vehicle races, forced pit stops andrefuel stops are provided, which make the individual vehicles move outof the boring successive driving for a short time. More interesting fora spectator, however, is the direct battle of the individual driverswith thrilling overtaking manoeuvres. Thus, there is a need to animatethe spectators' interest by thrilling overtaking manoeuvres also inthose sections of the racing course in which so far overtakingmanoeuvres have been made with difficulties only or not at all.

For satisfying this need, a device for modifying the layout of a vehicleracing course in a wide section of the track is provided, which isformed of an arrangement consisting of individual elements for definingthe edge of the track located in the region of the track section, whichcan be displaced, either individually or in groups, from an initialconfiguration, in which the section of the track is unaltered, into anew configuration for reshaping a bend in the racing course or/and fordividing the racing course into separate tracks.

According to the invention, it is an advantage that regions of theracing course may be individually configured such that the vehicles usea layout with different bends or/and separate tracks of the same lengthor curve progression, where overtaking manoeuvres are possible.Especially if the racing course is divided into separate tracks, thesame may be configured on a straight line or with the same sequence ofcurves or with a mirror-inverted sequence of curves or in a combinationof these progressions. After the performance of the new configuration asprovided the invention makes a modified layout of a vehicle racingcourse available, wherein bends in the racing course or/and the divisionof the racing course preferably into two separate tracks has beenachieved, wherein such a modified layout according to the invention mayalso be maintained permanently after having fixed the defining elementsin their configured position. The concept according to the inventionthus not only includes the individual configurability of the layout of avehicle racing course in a wide track section, but also the subsequentfixing of the individual elements for defining the edge of the trackafter the displacement thereof into a specific position for reshaping abend in the racing course or/and for dividing the racing course intoseparate tracks.

Moreover, it is advantageously also possible to make the edge of thetrack in curves variable by means of variable curbs, i.e. by definingthe edges of the track or, respectively, by defining the edge of thecurve by raising the edge of the track.

Moreover, it is also possible to compensate advantages or disadvantagesof separate tracks by variable curve radii or, respectively, by avariable track width. Variable curve radii, also in combination withdifferent track widths, allow the optimum adaptation of racing coursesto different vehicle categories, such as Formula-1 vehicles, racingcars, touring cars, trucks, motorcycles, karts etc. Furthermore, also anadaptation to different weather conditions is advantageously possible bycurve shaping and track separation, so as to take atmospheric influencesduring the race into account. Advantageously, also a modification of thelayout with the device according to the invention during a race ispossible, e.g. round by round.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention each individualdefining element comprises an adjusting device, preferably including adevice for securing the new configuration. This adjusting devicepreferably comprises a mechanical, electrical or a pressure meansactuated drive or a combination thereof, whereby also a manual drive ofa mechanical adjusting device may be provided.

For dividing the racing course into two separate tracks definingelements are—according to another embodiment of the invention—alsoprovided at least in the region of the center of the track, which may beactivated in the nature of a safety island only at the marginal regionof the safety island or over the entire surface thereof, wherein therespective other side of the track may correspondingly be configuredwith defining elements in the region of the edge of the track.Especially with the defining elements provided in the region of thecenter of the track it is advantageously provided in accordance withanother preferred embodiment that, in the initial configuration, theseare aligned with the upper side of the track and that the upper side ofthe defining elements is preferably provided with a track topping.

The defining elements provided in the region of the edge of the trackare, according to another embodiment, formed as a curb part which,according to an embodiment, are mounted in the track so as to bedisplaceable from their initial configuration into their newconfiguration. According to another embodiment, the curb parts may belifted out of their initial configuration immersed in the marginalregion and can thus be tilted to form a transitional region betweenimmersed and lifted curb parts.

According to another embodiment of the invention, at least the definingelements in the region of the edge of the track are arranged in agrid-shaped manner and can be lifted, individually or in groups, out oftheir initial configuration immersed in the marginal region to form adesired curve progression of the edge of the track.

For securing the new configuration of each defining element at least onepositively or non-positively engaging holding element is provided, suchas a locking device, or the use of a threaded spindle or, for example, ahydraulic holding piston.

For facilitating the modification of the layout it is moreoveradvantageous, if a preferably central remote control is provided foractivating and securing as well as for deactivating the definingelements, whereby also the holding elements provided in accordance withone embodiment may be activated or deactivated by a remote control.

According to another embodiment of the invention each defining elementis formed of an upper and a lower portion. This provides for advantagesin the fabrication, the maintenance and the adaptation of definingelements to different conditions with respect to the shaping of theedge.

According to another embodiment of the invention curb parts areprovided, which have a double T-section in the cross-section.Additionally, or alternatively, also curb parts are provided which havea trapezoidal cross-section.

For achieving the aforementioned object, a method for modifying thelayout of a vehicle racing course in a wide track section is moreoverprovided, wherein individual elements for defining the edge of the tracklocated in the region of the track section are displaced, eitherindividually or in groups, from an initial configuration of the tracksection into a new configuration for reshaping the bend in the racingcourse or/and for dividing or newly dividing the racing course.

Thus, according to the method, the layout in the wide track section maybe shaped differently according to the bend and the division, whereinthe shaping can be maintained as new initial configuration, or also as afinal one, not only temporarily, but also over a longer period of time.

Also, modifications in the division of the layouts are possible, whereinthe associated outer edges of the respective tracks may be adjustedcomplementarily in their bending radius. This advantageously results inan extremely high flexibility of the layout, which provides newchallenges to the drivers and increases the excitement of thespectators.

Below, the invention will be explained in more detail with reference tothe attached drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a device according to the invention forreshaping a bend in a racing course in a wide track section in aninitial configuration;

FIG. 2 shows the device according to FIG. 1 in a new configuration forreshaping a bend in a racing course;

FIG. 3A shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a curb part insertedin the device according to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2;

FIG. 3B shows a section along the intersection line IIIB-IIIB in FIG.3A;

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of a device with liftable and tiltablecurb parts, with all curb parts being immersed in the surface of thetrack;

FIG. 5 shows a reconfigured position of the device according to FIG. 7,with three curb parts being fully lifted and with one curb part beingarranged to slightly tilt toward a curb part not being lifted;

FIG. 6 shows a schematic top view onto another embodiment of a deviceaccording to the invention with a grid-shaped arrangement of definingelements in the region of an edge of the track, which may be activated,individually or in groups, to modify a bend in a racing course;

FIG. 7 shows a schematic representation of a racing course divided bythe use of the device according to the invention; and

FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of a racing course divided by the use ofthe device according to the invention.

FIG. 1 schematically shows a bent wide track section 11 of a vehicleracing course 10. The bent track section 11 extends between a straightsection 12 with a section 13 U-bent by 90° to a track section 14. Thearrow 15 indicates the driving direction.

The bent section 11 of the track is formed of an outer edge 16 having alarge radius and an inner edge 17 having a small radius. An arrangement18 consisting of individual elements for defining the edge of the track19 is provided on the inner edge 17, which can be displaced,individually or in groups, from the initial configuration of the tracksection 13 shown in FIG. 1 into a configuration for reshaping the bendin the racing course according to FIG. 2.

The elements 19 are arranged as curbs element by element and side byside, with gaps being provided between the individual elements. As canbe seen in connection with FIGS. 3A and 3B, each curb part 19 is formed,in the section, of a double T-element with an upper part 21 and a lowerpart 22 connected to each other by a web 23 which is displaceably guidedin a slot 20 of the track section 11. The displacement is therebyaccomplished in a non-illustrated way, either manually or with a motiveor pressure means actuated drive, e.g. by rotating a threaded spindle,by means of a hydraulic piston, by an electric servomotor or the like.

FIGS. 3A and 3B moreover schematically show that the curb part 19 isarranged with its lower part 22 on a bedding 24. 25 designates ahydraulic pressure cylinder which serves to secure the adjusted newconfiguration.

In a manner not illustrated, the curb parts 19 may moreover beconfigured adjustable by means of a mechanical device with respect totheir slope to the track. According to FIG. 3B this means a lowering orlifting of the left side of the curb part 19 as to adjust a flatter orsteeper curb part. This is advantageous for an adaptation to weatherconditions or/and racing cars.

FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of another embodiment of an arrangement ofelements for defining the edge of a track. With this embodiment, thedefining elements of the arrangement 27 consist of curb parts 28 whichhave a trapezoidal cross-section and which are arranged, individually orin groups, in the marginal region of the track section 11 in alignmentwith the upper side of the track section 11 according to FIG. 4, andwhich can individually be lifted out of this position. For forming atransitional region between immersed and lifted body parts 28, one bodypart—in this case body part 29—is slightly tiltable. The upper sides ofthe body parts 28 and 29, respectively, are provided with the tracktopping. The vertical adjusting device and the tilting device have beenomitted for the purpose of simplification. In this case, the adjustmentis accomplished, for example, with hydraulic adjustment cylinders 30.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of an arrangement 31 consisting ofelements for defining the edge of a track 32, which are arranged in agrid-shaped manner and which are formed with extendable cylinders. Thecurbs 32 may also be formed of groups or rows of individual, upwardlyextendable cylinders which, depending on the desired width of the trackor, respectively, on the desired radius of the curve, are extended todifferent heights. Like the curbs 28 and 29 in the embodiment shown inFIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the curbs 30 can be extended wholly or in partbetween a position in alignment with the track section 11, e.g. byhydraulic pistons or electric servomotors or manually.

In FIG. 6, only a few of the elements for defining the edge of the track32 are illustrated in the region of the edge of the track section 11.The defining elements 32 may also extend over the entire region of thetrack section so as to perform, for example, also modifications on theopposite edge.

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of a track section 40 which, in a mannernot illustrated in the represented embodiment, is nearly completelyprovided with a grid-shaped arrangement of elements for defining theedge of the track 41 at least in some regions, which are formed similarto the defining elements 32 shown in FIG. 6 and of which only a part isshown in FIG. 7.

With respect to the tracks 12 and 14, the track section 40 isconsiderably enlarged and, due to the conception according to theinvention, provides the possibility to perform a division of the racingcourse into partial sections 42 and 43, each of which are provided witha mirror-symmetrical curve shaping with respect to the longitudinal axisA-A. The radii of the curves may thereby, of course, also be shapeddifferently in the track section 42 or 43, with another progression asis, for example, shown in FIG. 8. Here, too, the defining elements 41are only partially shown. In the track section 40, the are providedevenly distributed over the entire track section 40 at least in someregions, which is not illustrated in the represented embodiment.

Although, in the represented embodiments, always only one type ofarrangements consisting of individual elements for defining the edge ofthe track is mentioned, of course, also track sections having differenttypes of defining elements can be realized with the invention. Moreover,the designs of the defining elements are not limited to the representedembodiments, but may also be adapted to the respective individual needsaccording to shape, arrangement and operation as well as integrationinto the track section.

1. A device for modifying the layout of a vehicle racing course in awide track section of the track thereof comprising an upper side, saiddevice comprising an arrangement consisting of individual curb elementslocated in the region of this track section of the racing course,wherein the curb elements can be displaced, either individually or ingroups, from an initial configuration of the track section into a newconfiguration for reshaping the bend in the racing course in this tracksection or/and for dividing the racing course in this track section intoseparate tracks, wherein, for reshaping the bend, curb elements aremounted to be displaceable or/and inclinable from their initialconfiguration into a new configuration in the track section, andwherein, for dividing the racing course into two separate tracksliftable curb elements are provided in the region of the center of thetrack section which are aligned with the upper side of the track sectionin their initial configuration.
 2. The device according to claim 1,wherein an adjusting device is provided for displacing the curbelements, said adjusting device comprising a mechanical, an electricalor a pressure means actuated drive.
 3. The device according to claim 1,wherein each curb element is provided with an adjusting device.Preferably comprising a device for securing the new configuration and amechanical, an electrical or a pressure means actuated drive.
 4. Thedevice according to claim 1, wherein the curb elements comprise an upperside which is provided with a track topping.
 5. The device according toclaim 1, wherein there are curb elements which are liftable out of theirinitial configuration immersed in the marginal region and can thereby beslightly tilted so as to form a transitional region between immersed andlifted curb elements.
 6. The device according to claim 1, wherein thecurb elements are arranged in a grid-shaped manner at least in theregion of the edge of the track.
 7. A device for modifying the layout ofa vehicle racing course in a wide track section of the track thereofcomprising an upper side, said device comprising an arrangementconsisting of individual curb elements located in the region of thistrack section of the racing course, wherein the curb elements can bedisplaced, either individually or in groups, from an initialconfiguration of the track section into a new configuration forreshaping the bend in the racing course in this track section fordividing the racing course in this track section into separate tracks,wherein, for reshaping the bend, curb elements are mounted to bedisplaceable inclinable from their initial configuration into a newconfiguration in the track section, and wherein, for dividing the racingcourse into two separate tracks liftable curb elements are provided inthe region of the center of the track section which are aligned with theupper side of the track section in their initial configuration, whereinat least one positively or non-positively engaging holding element isprovided for securing the new position of each curb element.
 8. Thedevice according to claim 7, wherein a preferably central remote controlis provided for activating, securing and deactivating the curb elements.9. The device according to claim 7, wherein a preferably central remotecontrol is provided for activating, securing and deactivating the curbelements.
 10. The device according to claim
 8. wherein holding elementsare provided which can be activated and deactivated by a remote control.11. The device according to claim 7, wherein curb elements having anupper and a lower portion are Provided.
 12. The device according toclaim 7, wherein curb elements are provided, which have a doubleT-section in the cross-section.
 13. The device according to claim 7,wherein curb elements are Provided, which have a trapezoidalcross-section.
 14. A Method for modifying the layout of a vehicle racingcourse in a wide track section thereof, comprising a upper side, whereinindividual curb elements located in the region of this track section aredisplaced, either individually or in groups, from an initialconfiguration of the track section into a new configuration forreshaping the bend in the racing course in this track section or/and fordividing or newly dividing the racing course in this track section intoseparate tracks, wherein, for reshaping a bend in the track section,curb elements are displaced or/and inclined, and wherein, for dividingthe racing course into two separate tracks, curb elements in the regionof the center of the track section are lifted from their initialconfiguration in which they are aligned with the upper side of the tracksection.
 15. (canceled)